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Hooligan jailed after kicking man's head like a football in Walsall

A yob who launched a brutal attack on a 'defenceless' football fan, breaking his jaw by kicking his head 'like a football', has been jailed for two years.

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Up to 10 men attacked 56-year-old Andrew Collins as his horrified wife looked on. The victim, who was set upon after trying to retrieve his wife's hat from the thugs, required surgery to fit metal plates to reset his jaw as a result of his injuries.

CCTV captured the group approaching and assaulting Mr Collins at Walsall railway station, following the Walsall FC vs Portsmouth match at the Banks's Stadium on January 4.

The assault on the retired chartered surveyor from Addlestone, in Surrey, happened at about 10.15pm at Walsall as supporters left the game.

Father-of-two Peter Harvey, aged 35, of Hollands Road, Blakenall, Walsall, was sentenced to two years in prison for inflicting grievous bodily harm. He also received 12 months for one count of affray, to run concurrently. He had admitted both charges at a previous hearing.

Co-defendants Scott Forrester, aged 25, of Cartbridge Crescent, Coalpool also Walsall, and Christopher Genders, aged 21, of Cemetery Road, Willenhall, each admitted an offence of affray.

Both received 12 month jail terms, suspended for two years.

Miss Sati Ruck, prosecuting, told the court Mr Collins and his 61-year-old wife, and the defendants had been on a train from Bescot and all alighted at Walsall.

"As the couple exited the station they noticed a group of Walsall fans including these defendants," she said. "One male grabbed Mrs Collins' hat and ran off. Mr Collins chased them and took hold of him and demanded the hat back.

"Then Harvey approached, grabbed Mr Collins, threw him against a wall, then eight or nine males ran up and attacked him. He was punched and kicked causing him to fall.

"Mrs Collins tried to assist. She told them to stop and after 30 to 60 seconds they did. Mr Collins was slumped against the wall. She says he was dazed and confused. At this point Harvey returned and punched Mr Collins in the face with force and kicked him in the head," Miss Ruck said.

She added that a witness, a Robert Tomkins, described how Mr Collins was 'being kicked like a football'. Forrester also punched the victim once, while Genders threw a punch which did not connect with him during the melee.

Mr John Evans, defending Harvey, said: "He has shown genuine remorse for what happened to the victim."

All three men were banned from attending any football match in the UK, Harvey for six years, and Forrester and Genders for four.

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